December 31, 2020.
The streets of Quezon City were alive with fireworks as Matthew drove through familiar roads toward his parents' house. It was the last night of 2020, and for the first time in years, he was spending New Year's Eve with family.
He had spent the past week deep in work, assembling a team, planning Sentinel's next big move, and laying the foundation for the future. But tonight?
Tonight was different.
It was a night for family.
As he pulled up in front of the house, he could already hear the distant pops of firecrackers going off in the neighborhood. A few kids were running around outside, waving sparklers, their faces glowing in the dim light.
Matthew stepped out of his Lexus, adjusting his black jacket over his polo shirt. He had spent Christmas here a few days ago, but there was something about New Year's Eve—it wasn't just another holiday, it was a reset.
The front door opened before he could knock.